The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

The regatta is being hosted by Rutland Sailing Club in the UK until Friday 11 June and has attracted 100 competitors comprising 82 entries from 10 countries.

There are almost 1800 Access Class boats sailing around the world and National Class Associations in 10 countries. The Access 2.3 is an ISAF International Class, whilst the 303 and Liberty are ISAF Recognised Classes. Access 2.3 and 303 fleets throughout the UK and Europe continue to grow, with the majority of boats used in Sailability programmes. The UK Access Class Association has run a traveller series for several years, attracting a growing number of keen racers.

The SKUD 18 is the two-person equipment for the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Sailing Competition and is regularly sailed on Rutland Water. The largest, fastest and most spectacular of the Access Classes, the SKUD will be a feature of the event and sail an International Championships.

26 sailors from 6 nations will contest the Access 2.3 single person division. Angus MacGregor (AUS), Bruno Pereira (POR) and Monique Foster (GBR) will be competitors to keep an eye on. Angus has been dominant in recent competitions in Australia and Japan over his older brother Duncan who is reigning World Champion. Bruno recently won the Portugal National Championships and won the 2009 European Championships. Monique has been progressing up the ranks in the UK competition and was runner up in the 2.3s at the European Championships in France last year.

Tessa Watkiss (GBR) was the winner of the 2009 UK Class Traveller Trophy for the 303 single person division, placing top 3 in every heat she contested. She is probably favourite for this competition, but Zoltan Pegan (HUN) is a seasoned competitor successful in a range of classes and sailors like Chris Ruston (AUS) and Luca Mantovani (ITA) could provide an upset. 17 sailors from 8 nations are contesting this division.

Reigning World Champions, Eva Mircsev & Zoltan Pegan (HUN) are defending their 303 two person title in Rutland, but Christopher Moleworth & Mark Alton (GBR) have a home ground advantage. The pair from Swarkestone took four wins in a row to claim the UK National Championship in 2009 and will surely challenge the Hungarians. Cedric Castaldi & Michelle Germain (FRA) and Lachlan & Tony Clear (AUS) are also expected to be keeping the pressure on at the top of the list of 17 teams from 6 nations.